Reacting to India’s coordinated military strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States is “monitoring the situation closely” and has been briefed by Indian officials.
The remarks come after India launched Operation Sindoor, a rare tri-services offensive involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force, targeting nine terror bases early Wednesday morning. The operation was conducted in response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which 26 civilians were killed, and marks the first time since the 1971 war that India’s three armed forces conducted joint strikes on Pakistani soil.
“We are closely monitoring the situation between India and Pakistan,” Rubio said in a statement. “We understand the gravity of the attack that occurred in Pahalgam, and we have been informed of India’s response and rationale.”
Sources in New Delhi confirmed that National Security Advisor Ajit Doval personally briefed Rubio and his U.S. counterpart shortly after the strikes. The U.S. is reportedly in touch with both New Delhi and Islamabad to encourage restraint and avoid escalation in the region.
Rubio added,
“The United States supports efforts to dismantle terrorist networks operating in the region. At the same time, we urge all sides to prevent further escalation and prioritize dialogue to maintain peace and security in South Asia.”
India has stated that the strikes were “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” targeting only terror hubs and avoiding military assets. The operation has drawn global attention, and the U.S. is one of the first major powers to respond publicly.
A full briefing from India’s armed forces on Operation Sindoor is expected later today.
